The Old Grey Mare:
The Old Grey Mare is a warm and friendly community based pub in Royton on the main road between Oldham and Rochdale.
We have large screen TVs to watch various live sporting events and there is live entertainment every Friday and Saturday evening, with fantastic artists guaranteeing a great night out!
Wi-fi facilities are also available for you to drop in, have a drink, something to eat and access the internet on your laptop or internet-enabled phone..
Good pub food is served at lunchtime during the week and on Sundays from midday to 3pm – with a 10% discount offered on food to all NHS workers on production of i.d.
We are only a short walk from Boundary Park, the home ground of Oldham Athletic FC and Oldham Rugby Club (Roughyeds) and everyone is welcome.
In August 2008 – Michael Crossley and Philomena Robinson took over as Licensees, with Scottish and Newcastle Pub Enterprises – both coming from very different backgrounds to the pub industry; but in a very short time they’ve made great improvements in all areas; re-decorating the inside, brightening the interior and opening an area of the main room to better host live entertainment; both the ladies and gents facilities have been refurbished and they are currently awaiting planning permission to construct a smoking shelter in the beer garden at the rear of the building.
“We are determined The Old Grey Mare will soon return to its former glory and rank amongst the best in Oldham. We have the most friendly and efficient team of bar staff, who welcome all-comers – and the customers have made us so welcome, we feel we’ve known them for years!”
History : information courtesy of “A History of Royton Pubs” by Rob Magee
Records show that The Old Grey Mare was probably opened in 1820 by John Butterworth under the name Dog and Partridge, although between 1824 and 1836 the pub appears to have been called Dog and Grouse. Perhaps he changed the name because there was already a Dog and Partridge on Royton Lane (now Middleton Road). It wasn’t until 1871 that the pub was being known as The Old Grey Mare and a number of landlords and managers held the licence until Norman Ashworth – an electrician – married Cath, the previous landlord’s daughter and took over the tenancy in 1964. Sadly, Norman died in 1981 and the brewery put in a manager, Derek Sowerby, who left two years later and was replaced by Edward Cowards, followed a year later (1984) by Dennis Taylor. Since that time several managers/licensees have held the reins until Michael and Philomena took over in August 2008.
Our entertainment programme is going from strength to strength; with the very best local, well-known acts to 1st class acts never seen before in and around Oldham – but we’ve been asked each time by customers to ask each one back! |
